Keane was born in Caherlistrane, County Galway, Ireland. She is a sister of musician Seán Keane. Her aunts Rita and Sara Keane are also singers. She has duetted with American singer John Prine on his album In Spite of Ourselves.
Lili Marlene
Dolores Keane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Darling I remember the way you used to wait.
'Twas there that you whispered tenderly,
That you loved me, You'd always be,
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
Time would come for roll call, Time for us to part,
Darling I'd caress you and press you to my heart,
I'd hold you tight, We'd kiss good-night,
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
Orders came for sailing somewhere over there,
All confined to barracks was more than I could bear;
I knew you were waiting in the street,
I heard your feet, But could not meet,
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
Resting in a billet, just behind the line,
Even tho'we're parted, your lips are close to mine.
You wait where that lantern softly gleams.
Your sweet face seems to haunt my dreams.
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
The lyrics of "Lili Marlene" by Dolores Keane tell the story of two lovers who meet every night under a lantern by a barrack gate. The man, who is a soldier, describes how he remembers the way his lover used to wait there for him and how tenderly she whispered her love for him. He calls her "My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene" which shows how much he loves and adores her.
The man then talks about how they would say their goodnights as he had to get back to the barracks for roll call. He recalls how he would hold her tight and they would kiss before parting, knowing that they will meet again under the same lantern light. However, the order to sail somewhere far away had come, and the man was confined to the barracks, unable to meet his lover. He laments how he could hear her footsteps, but he was unable to meet her, which shows the pain of separation that they both feel.
Line by Line Meaning
Underneath the lantern, by the barrack gate,
I remember how you used to wait for me under the lantern by the barrack gate.
Darling I remember the way you used to wait.
I can still remember how you waited for me with such love and longing.
'Twas there that you whispered tenderly,
I recall how you whispered words of affection to me with such tenderness.
That you loved me, You'd always be,
You professed your love for me and promised to always be by my side.
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
You will always be my Lili of the lamplight and my own Lili Marlene.
Time would come for roll call, Time for us to part,
The time would come for roll call and separation would be inevitable.
Darling I'd caress you and press you to my heart,
I would hold you close and embrace you with all the love in my heart.
And there 'neath that far off lantern light,
We would stand under the distant lantern light.
I'd hold you tight, We'd kiss good-night,
I would hold you tightly as we said goodnight with a kiss.
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
You will always be my Lili of the lamplight and my own Lili Marlene.
Orders came for sailing somewhere over there,
I was given orders to sail somewhere far away.
All confined to barracks was more than I could bear;
Being confined to barracks without you was too much for me to bear.
I knew you were waiting in the street,
I knew you were waiting for me in the street.
I heard your feet, But could not meet,
I could hear your footsteps but could not come to you.
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
You will always be my Lili of the lamplight and my own Lili Marlene.
Resting in a billet, just behind the line,
Now, even though we are apart, I find comfort in the thought of you.
Even tho'we're parted, your lips are close to mine.
In my mind, I imagine your lips close to mine, even though we are apart.
You wait where that lantern softly gleams.
I picture you waiting for me where the lantern softly gleams.
Your sweet face seems to haunt my dreams.
Your sweet face lingers in my dreams and memories.
My Lili of the lamplight, My own Lili Marlene.
You will always be my Lili of the lamplight and my own Lili Marlene.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hans Leip, Norbert Schultze
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
evgeni sacharov
Dolores is incomparable, unsurpassed, angelic!
jimmy mullen
My Mum used to sing this too...good memories...such a beautiful song thanks Dolores...
John Scanlon
Beautyful Dolores..thought this in German by my Grandad..at 6 or 7 & with his tutilidge learned by ear to play on his piano..1st song!!..Althought Marlene Deitrich made it her very own..You translated it with homely soul with that pure voice you were gifted..God bless & take care John Co Tipperary.
Marlene Holly
my mother sang this song to me 55 years ago...💟💟
Linda Jacobsen
Just delightful, Delores . ❤
JohnnieBeer
A very sweet version of a beautiful German song!
Bernadette Steinberg
always loved this song - beautiful version
Mary Chris
As always Dolores magical
John Macleod
Of any singer where the sentiments mean more than simeone could ever know Delores is a super humanbeing
Eoghan O Neill
leagan an-mhaith ó Dolores Keane. Cumadh na liricí thiar sa bhl. 1915 agus cuireadh ceol leo sna triochadaí. Ba é stáisiún radio Belgrad a sheol an t-amhrán amach chuig an Afrika Corps sa ghaineamhlach i dTuaiscirt na hAifrice agus ba uaidh sin a scaip sé chuig saighdiúirí in airm Shasana. Níl an bunleagán chomh muiníneach is a bhfuil an t-aistriúchán - féach véarsa 4!